Despite Trump, America is still going to rival Russia

Helsinki was, by virtually every American political measure, a disaster.  Only the Trump base - the very people he need not convince - were unaffected.  Their commitment to Trump is a fascinating phenomenon in and of itself, as is Trump's willingness to preach to this particular choir even at the expense of actual governance. But …

Are The Russians Sneaking Troops Into Belarus?

From Reuters: Russia has left troops behind after staging war games in Belarus despite promising not to, Ukraine’s Commander in Chief Viktor Muzhenko told Reuters. His comments could increase tension between the two neighbors and contradict the Belarussian defense ministry spokesman, who said the last train of Russian troops and equipment had left Belarus on …

So Much For Yet Another Russian Reset

From Reuters: U.S. President Donald Trump grudgingly signed into law on Wednesday new sanctions against Russia that Congress had approved overwhelmingly last week, criticizing the legislation as having "clearly unconstitutional" elements. Ever since the United States entered the stage as a world power, it's brushed up against Russia.  From the 1918-20 international intervention that halfheartedly …

Why Russian resets keep failing

In short, if it wasn't one thing, it would have been another. It didn't have to have to be a gas attack; it could have been a stray Russian shell in some Ukrainian city; a dead exiled opposition leader on the streets of a Western capital city; a major hacking attack against a critical American target; …

Bombs In St. Petersburg Will Not Change Putin’s Strategy

Though tragic and murderous, Putin will not be moved by the bombs in St. Petersburg.

Is Putin’s Rule Cracking Up? Protests Rile Moscow

From Reuters:  Police detained hundreds of protesters across Russia on Sunday, including opposition leader Alexei Navalny, after thousands took to the streets to demonstrate against corruption and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Moscow has been the scene of multiple protests throughout Russia's bitter winter.  This in and of itself is nothing new: …

Geopolitical Briefs: An Introduction and Anti-Putin Protests in Russia

Putin faces more protests; can they unite to unseat him in 2018?

The Russo-Trump Alliance

The Russian hacking scandal of the Democratic National Party continues;  accusations that incoming President-elect Donald Trump is a Russian stooge are as steady as the drumbeat of yesteryear's cries that Obama was not really a citizen.  The evidence behind the attack is still thin.  Yet it is also irrelevant because it seems the incoming administration has …

If This Is Cold War 2.0, Then the Russians Are Winning

Sequels are so often disappointing; I'd love to meet someone who thought Independence Day 2 was an improvement.  So it is with so-called Cold War 2.0: it can certainly feel meaningless, as Moscow doesn't hope to raise a hammer and sickle above the White House. Perhaps it's better to refer to it as Cold War 1.5, a …

As Syria’s Cease Fire Fails, It’s Time To Break Some Stereotypes

Even last week, as I went about analyzing the Russian and American motives behind the most recent go at peace in the Syria civil war, I was hesitant to triumph success.  I doubt many are shocked; maybe John Kerry is heartbroken, but certainly this wasn't beyond the realm of expectations. So while anybody paying attention …